Torvald Helmer.Nora, his wife.Doctor Rank.Mrs. Linde.Nils Krogstad.Helmer's three young children.Anne, their nurse.A Housemaid.A Porter.(The action takes place in Helmer's house.)

A DOLL'S HOUSE

ACT I

(SCENE.--A room furnished comfortably and tastefully, but notextravagantly. At the back, a door to the right leads to theentrance-hall, another to the left leads to Helmer's study.Between the doors stands a piano. In the middle of the left-handwall is a door, and beyond it a window. Near the window are around table, arm-chairs and a small sofa. In the right-hand wall,at the farther end, another door; and on the same side, nearerthe footlights, a stove, two easy chairs and a rocking-chair;between the stove and the door, a small table. Engravings on thewalls; a cabinet with china and other small objects; a smallbook-case with well-bound books. The floors are carpeted, and afire burns in the stove. It is winter.

A bell rings in the hall; shortly afterwards the door is heard toopen. Enter NORA, humming a tune and in high spirits. She is inoutdoor dress and carries a number of parcels; these she lays onthe table to the right. She leaves the outer door open after her,and through it is seen a PORTER who is carrying a Christmas Treeand a basket, which he gives to the MAID who has opened thedoor.)

Nora. Hide the Christmas Tree carefully, Helen. Be sure thechildren do not see it until this evening, when it is dressed. (Tothe PORTER, taking out her purse.) How much?

Porter. Sixpence.

Nora. There is a shilling. No, keep the change. (The PORTERthanks her, and goes out. NORA shuts the door. She is laughing toherself, as she takes off her hat and coat. She takes a packet ofmacaroons from her pocket and eats one or two; then goescautiously to her husband's door and listens.) Yes, he is in.(Still humming, she goes to the table on the right.)

Helmer (calls out from his room). Is that my little larktwittering out there?

Nora (busy opening some of the parcels). Yes, it is!

Helmer. Is it my little squirrel bustling about?

Nora. Yes!

Helmer. When did my squirrel come home?

Nora. Just now. (Puts the bag of macaroons into her pocket andwipes her mouth.) Come in here, Torvald, and see what I havebought.

Helmer. Don't disturb me. (A little later, he opens the door andlooks into the room, pen in hand.) Bought, did you say? All thesethings? Has my little spendthrift been wasting money again?

Nora. Yes but, Torvald, this year we really can let ourselves goa little. This is the first Christmas that we have not needed toeconomise.

Helmer. Still, you know, we can't spend money recklessly. Nora.Yes, Torvald, we may be a wee bit more reckless now, mayn't we?Just a tiny wee bit! You are going to have a big salary and earnlots and lots of money.

Helmer. Yes, after the New Year; but then it will be a wholequarter before the salary is due.

Nora. Pooh! we can borrow until then.

Helmer. Nora! (Goes up to her and takes her playfully by theear.) The same little featherhead! Suppose, now, that I borrowedfifty pounds today, and you spent it all in the Christmas week,and then on New Year's Eve a slate fell on my head and killed me,and--Nora (putting her hands over his mouth). Oh! don't say suchhorrid things.

Helmer. Still, suppose that happened,--what then?

Nora. If that were to happen, I don't suppose I should carewhether I owed money or not.

Helmer. Yes, but what about the people who had lent it?

Nora. They? Who would bother about them? I should not know who theywere.

Helmer. That is like a woman! But seriously, Nora, you know whatI think about that. No debt, no borrowing. There can be nofreedom or beauty about a home life that depends on borrowing anddebt. We two have kept bravely on the straight road so far, andwe will go on the same way for the short time longer that thereneed be any struggle.

Nora (moving towards the stove). As you please, Torvald.

Helmer (following her). Come, come, my little skylark must notdroop her wings. What is this! Is my little squirrel out oftemper? (Taking out his purse.) Nora, what do you think I havegot here?

Nora (turning round quickly). Money!

Helmer. There you are. (Gives her some money.) Do you think Idon't know what a lot is wanted for housekeeping at Christmas-time?

Nora. Yes, yes, it will. But come here and let me show you what Ihave bought. And all so cheap! Look, here is a new suit for Ivar,and a sword; and a horse and a trumpet for Bob; and a doll anddolly's bedstead for Emmy,--they are very plain, but anyway shewill soon break them in pieces. And here are dress-lengths andhandkerchiefs for the maids; old Anne ought really to havesomething better.

Helmer. And what is in this parcel?

Nora (crying out). No, no! you mustn't see that until thisevening.

Helmer. Very well. But now tell me, you extravagant littleperson, what would you like for yourself?

Nora. For myself? Oh, I am sure I don't want anything.

Helmer. Yes, but you must. Tell me something reasonable that youwould particularly like to have.

Nora. No, I really can't think of anything--unless, Torvald--

Helmer. Well?

Nora (playing with his coat buttons, and without raising her eyesto his). If you really want to give me something, you might--youmight--

Helmer. Well, out with it!

Nora (speaking quickly). You might give me money, Torvald. Onlyjust as much as you can afford; and then one of these days I willbuy something with it.

Helmer. But, Nora--

Nora. Oh, do! dear Torvald; please, please do! Then I will wrap it upin beautiful gilt paper and hang it on the Christmas Tree. Wouldn'tthat be fun?

Helmer. What are little people called that are always wastingmoney?

Nora. Spendthrifts--I know. Let us do as you suggest, Torvald,and then I shall have time to think what I am most in want of.That is a very sensible plan, isn't it?

Helmer (smiling). Indeed it is--that is to say, if you werereally to save out of the money I give you, and then really buysomething for yourself. But if you spend it all on thehousekeeping and any number of unnecessary things, then I merelyhave to pay up again.

Nora. Oh but, Torvald--

Helmer. You can't deny it, my dear little Nora. (Puts his armround her waist.) It's a sweet little spendthrift, but she usesup a deal of money. One would hardly believe how expensive suchlittle persons are!

Nora. It's a shame to say that. I do really save all I can.

Helmer (laughing). That's very true,--all you can. But you can'tsave anything!

Nora (smiling quietly and happily). You haven't any idea how manyexpenses we skylarks and squirrels have, Torvald.

Helmer. You are an odd little soul. Very like your father. Youalways find some new way of wheedling money out of me, and, assoon as you have got it, it seems to melt in your hands. Younever know where it has gone. Still, one must take you as youare. It is in the blood; for indeed it is true that you caninherit these things, Nora.

Nora. Ah, I wish I had inherited many of papa's qualities.

Helmer. And I would not wish you to be anything but just what youare, my sweet little skylark. But, do you know, it strikes methat you are looking rather--what shall I say--rather uneasy today?

Nora (going to the table on the right). I should not think ofgoing against your wishes.

Helmer. No, I am sure of that; besides, you gave me your word--(Going up to her.) Keep your little Christmas secrets toyourself, my darling. They will all be revealed tonight when theChristmas Tree is lit, no doubt.

Nora. Did you remember to invite Doctor Rank?

Helmer. No. But there is no need; as a matter of course he willcome to dinner with us. However, I will ask him when he comes inthis morning. I have ordered some good wine. Nora, you can'tthink how I am looking forward to this evening.

Nora. So am I! And how the children will enjoy themselves, Torvald!

Helmer. It is splendid to feel that one has a perfectly safeappointment, and a big enough income. It's delightful to thinkof, isn't it?

Nora. It's wonderful!

Helmer. Do you remember last Christmas? For a full three weeksbeforehand you shut yourself up every evening until long aftermidnight, making ornaments for the Christmas Tree, and all theother fine things that were to be a surprise to us. It was thedullest three weeks I ever spent!

Nora. I didn't find it dull.

Helmer (smiling). But there was precious little result, Nora.

Nora. Oh, you shouldn't tease me about that again. How could Ihelp the cat's going in and tearing everything to pieces?

Helmer. Of course you couldn't, poor little girl. You had thebest of intentions to please us all, and that's the main thing.But it is a good thing that our hard times are over.

Nora. Yes, it is really wonderful.

Helmer. This time I needn't sit here and be dull all alone, andyou needn't ruin your dear eyes and your pretty little hands--

Nora (clapping her hands). No, Torvald, I needn't any longer,need I! It's wonderfully lovely to hear you say so! (Taking hisarm.) Now I will tell you how I have been thinking we ought toarrange things, Torvald. As soon as Christmas is over--(A bellrings in the hall.) There's the bell. (She tidies the room alittle.) There's some one at the door. What a nuisance!

Helmer. If it is a caller, remember I am not at home.

Maid (in the doorway). A lady to see you, ma'am,--a stranger.

Nora. Ask her to come in.

Maid (to HELMER). The doctor came at the same time, sir.

Helmer. Did he go straight into my room?

Maid. Yes, sir.

(HELMER goes into his room. The MAID ushers in Mrs. LINDE, who isin travelling dress, and shuts the door.) Mrs. Linde (in adejected and timid voice). How do you do, Nora?

Nora (doubtfully). How do you do--Mrs. Linde. You don't recogniseme, I suppose.

Nora. No, I don't know--yes, to be sure, I seem to--(Suddenly.)Yes! Christine! Is it really you?

Mrs. Linde. Yes, it is I.

Nora. Christine! To think of my not recognising you! And yet howcould I--(In a gentle voice.) How you have altered, Christine!

Mrs. Linde. Yes, I have indeed. In nine, ten long years--

Nora. Is it so long since we met? I suppose it is. The last eightyears have been a happy time for me, I can tell you. And so nowyou have come into the town, and have taken this long journey inwinter--that was plucky of you.

Mrs. Linde. I arrived by steamer this morning.

Nora. To have some fun at Christmas-time, of course. Howdelightful! We will have such fun together! But take off yourthings. You are not cold, I hope. (Helps her.) Now we will sitdown by the stove, and be cosy. No, take this armchair; I willsit here in the rocking-chair. (Takes her hands.) Now you looklike your old self again; it was only the first moment--You are alittle paler, Christine, and perhaps a little thinner.

Nora. So you are quite alone. How dreadfully sad that must be. Ihave three lovely children. You can't see them just now, for theyare out with their nurse. But now you must tell me all about it.

Mrs. Linde. No, no; I want to hear about you.

Nora. No, you must begin. I mustn't be selfish today; today Imust only think of your affairs. But there is one thing I musttell you. Do you know we have just had a great piece of goodluck?

Mrs. Linde. No, what is it?

Nora. Just fancy, my husband has been made manager of the Bank!

Mrs. Linde. Your husband? What good luck!

Nora. Yes, tremendous! A barrister's profession is such anuncertain thing, especially if he won't undertake unsavourycases; and naturally Torvald has never been willing to do that,and I quite agree with him. You may imagine how pleased we are!He is to take up his work in the Bank at the New Year, and thenhe will have a big salary and lots of commissions. For the futurewe can live quite differently--we can do just as we like. I feelso relieved and so happy, Christine! It will be splendid to haveheaps of money and not need to have any anxiety, won't it?

Mrs. Linde. Yes, anyhow I think it would be delightful to havewhat one needs.

Nora (laughing). Yes, that is what Torvald says now. (Wags herfinger at her.) But "Nora, Nora" is not so silly as you think. Wehave not been in a position for me to waste money. We have bothhad to work.

Mrs. Linde. You too?

Nora. Yes; odds and ends, needlework, crotchet-work, embroidery,and that kind of thing. (Dropping her voice.) And other things aswell. You know Torvald left his office when we were married?There was no prospect of promotion there, and he had to try andearn more than before. But during the first year he over-workedhimself dreadfully. You see, he had to make money every way hecould, and he worked early and late; but he couldn't stand it,and fell dreadfully ill, and the doctors said it was necessaryfor him to go south.

Mrs. Linde. You spent a whole year in Italy, didn't you?

Nora. Yes. It was no easy matter to get away, I can tell you. It wasjust after Ivar was born; but naturally we had to go. It was awonderfully beautiful journey, and it saved Torvald's life. Butit cost a tremendous lot of money, Christine.

Mrs. Linde. So I should think.

Nora. It cost about two hundred and fifty pounds. That's a lot,isn't it?

Mrs. Linde. Yes, and in emergencies like that it is lucky to havethe money.

Nora. I ought to tell you that we had it from papa.

Mrs. Linde. Oh, I see. It was just about that time that he died,wasn't it?

Nora. Yes; and, just think of it, I couldn't go and nurse him. Iwas expecting little Ivar's birth every day and I had my poorsick Torvald to look after. My dear, kind father--I never saw himagain, Christine. That was the saddest time I have known sinceour marriage.

Mrs. Linde. I know how fond you were of him. And then you wentoff to Italy?

Nora. Yes; you see we had money then, and the doctors insisted onour going, so we started a month later.

Mrs. Linde. And your husband came back quite well?

Nora. As sound as a bell!

Mrs. Linde. But--the doctor?

Nora. What doctor?

Mrs. Linde. I thought your maid said the gentleman who arrivedhere just as I did, was the doctor?

Nora. Yes, that was Doctor Rank, but he doesn't come hereprofessionally. He is our greatest friend, and comes in at leastonce everyday. No, Torvald has not had an hour's illness sincethen, and our children are strong and healthy and so am I. (Jumpsup and claps her hands.) Christine! Christine! it's good to bealive and happy!--But how horrid of me; I am talking of nothingbut my own affairs. (Sits on a stool near her, and rests her armson her knees.) You mustn't be angry with me. Tell me, is itreally true that you did not love your husband? Why did you marryhim?

Mrs. Linde. My mother was alive then, and was bedridden andhelpless, and I had to provide for my two younger brothers; so Idid not think I was justified in refusing his offer.

Nora. No, perhaps you were quite right. He was rich at that time,then?

Mrs. Linde. I believe he was quite well off. But his business wasa precarious one; and, when he died, it all went to pieces andthere was nothing left.

Nora. And then?--

Mrs. Linde. Well, I had to turn my hand to anything I could find--first a small shop, then a small school, and so on. The lastthree years have seemed like one long working-day, with no rest.Now it is at an end, Nora. My poor mother needs me no more, forshe is gone; and the boys do not need me either; they have gotsituations and can shift for themselves.

Nora. What a relief you must feel if--

Mrs. Linde. No, indeed; I only feel my life unspeakably empty. Noone to live for anymore. (Gets up restlessly.) That was why Icould not stand the life in my little backwater any longer. Ihope it may be easier here to find something which will busy meand occupy my thoughts. If only I could have the good luck to getsome regular work--office work of some kind--

Nora. But, Christine, that is so frightfully tiring, and you looktired out now. You had far better go away to some watering-place.

Mrs. Linde (walking to the window). I have no father to give memoney for a journey, Nora.

Nora (rising). Oh, don't be angry with me!

Mrs. Linde (going up to her). It is you that must not be angrywith me, dear. The worst of a position like mine is that it makesone so bitter. No one to work for, and yet obliged to be alwayson the lookout for chances. One must live, and so one becomesselfish. When you told me of the happy turn your fortunes havetaken--you will hardly believe it--I was delighted not so much onyour account as on my own.

Nora. How do you mean?--Oh, I understand. You mean that perhapsTorvald could get you something to do.

Mrs. Linde. Yes, that was what I was thinking of.

Nora. He must, Christine. Just leave it to me; I will broach thesubject very cleverly--I will think of something that will pleasehim very much. It will make me so happy to be of some use to you.

Mrs. Linde. How kind you are, Nora, to be so anxious to help me!It is doubly kind in you, for you know so little of the burdensand troubles of life.

Nora. I--? I know so little of them?

Mrs. Linde (smiling). My dear! Small household cares and thatsort of thing!--You are a child, Nora.

Nora (tosses her head and crosses the stage). You ought not to beso superior.

Mrs. Linde. No?

Nora. You are just like the others. They all think that I amincapable of anything really serious--

Mrs. Linde. Come, come--

Nora.--that I have gone through nothing in this world of cares.

Mrs. Linde. But, my dear Nora, you have just told me all yourtroubles.

Nora. Pooh!--those were trifles. (Lowering her voice.) I have nottold you the important thing.

Mrs. Linde. The important thing? What do you mean?

Nora. You look down upon me altogether, Christine--but you oughtnot to. You are proud, aren't you, of having worked so hard andso long for your mother?

Mrs. Linde. Indeed, I don't look down on anyone. But it is truethat I am both proud and glad to think that I was privileged tomake the end of my mother's life almost free from care.

Nora. And you are proud to think of what you have done for yourbrothers?

Mrs. Linde. I think I have the right to be.

Nora. I think so, too. But now, listen to this; I too havesomething to be proud and glad of.

Mrs. Linde. I have no doubt you have. But what do you refer to?

Nora. Speak low. Suppose Torvald were to hear! He mustn't on anyaccount--no one in the world must know, Christine, except you.

Mrs. Linde. But what is it?

Nora. Come here. (Pulls her down on the sofa beside her.) Now Iwill show you that I too have something to be proud and glad of.It was I who saved Torvald's life.

Mrs. Linde. "Saved"? How?

Nora. I told you about our trip to Italy. Torvald would neverhave recovered if he had not gone there--

Mrs. Linde. Yes, but your father gave you the necessary funds.

Nora (smiling). Yes, that is what Torvald and all the othersthink, but--

Mrs. Linde. But--

Nora. Papa didn't give us a shilling. It was I who procured themoney.

Mrs. Linde. You? All that large sum?

Nora. Two hundred and fifty pounds. What do you think of that?

Mrs. Linde. But, Nora, how could you possibly do it? Did you wina prize in the Lottery?

Nora (contemptuously). In the Lottery? There would have been nocredit in that.

Mrs. Linde. But where did you get it from, then? Nora (hummingand smiling with an air of mystery). Hm, hm! Aha!

Mrs. Linde. Because you couldn't have borrowed it.

Nora. Couldn't I? Why not?

Mrs. Linde. No, a wife cannot borrow without her husband'sconsent.

Nora (tossing her head). Oh, if it is a wife who has any head forbusiness--a wife who has the wit to be a little bit clever--

Mrs. Linde. I don't understand it at all, Nora.

Nora. There is no need you should. I never said I had borrowedthe money. I may have got it some other way. (Lies back on thesofa.) Perhaps I got it from some other admirer. When anyone isas attractive as I am--

Mrs. Linde. You are a mad creature.

Nora. Now, you know you're full of curiosity, Christine.

Mrs. Linde. Listen to me, Nora dear. Haven't you been a littlebit imprudent?

Nora (sits up straight). Is it imprudent to save your husband'slife?

Mrs. Linde. It seems to me imprudent, without his knowledge, to--

Nora. But it was absolutely necessary that he should not know! Mygoodness, can't you understand that? It was necessary he shouldhave no idea what a dangerous condition he was in. It was to methat the doctors came and said that his life was in danger, andthat the only thing to save him was to live in the south. Do yousuppose I didn't try, first of all, to get what I wanted as if itwere for myself? I told him how much I should love to travelabroad like other young wives; I tried tears and entreaties withhim; I told him that he ought to remember the condition I was in,and that he ought to be kind and indulgent to me; I even hintedthat he might raise a loan. That nearly made him angry, Christine.He said I was thoughtless, and that it was his duty as my husbandnot to indulge me in my whims and caprices--as I believe he calledthem. Very well, I thought, you must be saved--and that was howI came to devise a way out of the difficulty--

Mrs. Linde. And did your husband never get to know from yourfather that the money had not come from him?

Nora. No, never. Papa died just at that time. I had meant to lethim into the secret and beg him never to reveal it. But he was soill then--alas, there never was any need to tell him.

Mrs. Linde. And since then have you never told your secret toyour husband?

Nora. Good Heavens, no! How could you think so? A man who hassuch strong opinions about these things! And besides, how painfuland humiliating it would be for Torvald, with his manlyindependence, to know that he owed me anything! It would upsetour mutual relations altogether; our beautiful happy home wouldno longer be what it is now.

Mrs. Linde. Do you mean never to tell him about it?

Nora (meditatively, and with a half smile). Yes--someday,perhaps, after many years, when I am no longer as nice-looking asI am now. Don't laugh at me! I mean, of course, when Torvald isno longer as devoted to me as he is now; when my dancing anddressing-up and reciting have palled on him; then it may be agood thing to have something in reserve--(Breaking off.) Whatnonsense! That time will never come. Now, what do you think of mygreat secret, Christine? Do you still think I am of no use? I cantell you, too, that this affair has caused me a lot of worry. Ithas been by no means easy for me to meet my engagementspunctually. I may tell you that there is something that iscalled, in business, quarterly interest, and another thing calledpayment in installments, and it is always so dreadfully difficultto manage them. I have had to save a little here and there, whereI could, you understand. I have not been able to put aside muchfrom my housekeeping money, for Torvald must have a good table. Icouldn't let my children be shabbily dressed; I have felt obligedto use up all he gave me for them, the sweet little darlings!

Mrs. Linde. So it has all had to come out of your own necessariesof life, poor Nora?

Nora. Of course. Besides, I was the one responsible for it. WheneverTorvald has given me money for new dresses and such things, I havenever spent more than half of it; I have always bought the simplestand cheapest things. Thank Heaven, any clothes look well on me,and so Torvald has never noticed it. But it was often very hardon me, Christine--because it is delightful to be really welldressed, isn't it?

Mrs. Linde. Quite so.

Nora. Well, then I have found other ways of earning money. Lastwinter I was lucky enough to get a lot of copying to do; so Ilocked myself up and sat writing every evening until quite lateat night. Many a time I was desperately tired; but all the sameit was a tremendous pleasure to sit there working and earningmoney. It was like being a man.

Mrs. Linde. How much have you been able to pay off in that way?

Nora. I can't tell you exactly. You see, it is very difficult tokeep an account of a business matter of that kind. I only knowthat I have paid every penny that I could scrape together. Many atime I was at my wits' end. (Smiles.) Then I used to sit here andimagine that a rich old gentleman had fallen in love with me--

Mrs. Linde. What! Who was it?

Nora. Be quiet!--that he had died; and that when his will wasopened it contained, written in big letters, the instruction:"The lovely Mrs. Nora Helmer is to have all I possess paid overto her at once in cash."

Mrs. Linde. But, my dear Nora--who could the man be?

Nora. Good gracious, can't you understand? There was no oldgentleman at all; it was only something that I used to sit hereand imagine, when I couldn't think of any way of procuring money.But it's all the same now; the tiresome old person can stay wherehe is, as far as I am concerned; I don't care about him or hiswill either, for I am free from care now. (Jumps up.) Mygoodness, it's delightful to think of, Christine! Free from care!To be able to be free from care, quite free from care; to be ableto play and romp with the children; to be able to keep the housebeautifully and have everything just as Torvald likes it! And,think of it, soon the spring will come and the big blue sky!Perhaps we shall be able to take a little trip--perhaps I shallsee the sea again! Oh, it's a wonderful thing to be alive and behappy. (A bell is heard in the hall.)

Mrs. Linde (rising). There is the bell; perhaps I had better go.

Nora. No, don't go; no one will come in here; it is sure to befor Torvald.

Servant (at the hall door). Excuse me, ma'am--there is agentleman to see the master, and as the doctor is with him--

Nora. Who is it?

Krogstad (at the door). It is I, Mrs. Helmer. (Mrs. LINDE starts,trembles, and turns to the window.)

Nora (takes a step towards him, and speaks in a strained, lowvoice). You? What is it? What do you want to see my husbandabout?

Krogstad. Bank business--in a way. I have a small post in theBank, and I hear your husband is to be our chief now--

Nora. Be so good as to go into the study, then. (She bowsindifferently to him and shuts the door into the hall; then comesback and makes up the fire in the stove.)

Mrs. Linde. Nora--who was that man?

Nora. A lawyer, of the name of Krogstad.

Mrs. Linde. Then it really was he.

Nora. Do you know the man?

Mrs. Linde. I used to--many years ago. At one time he was asolicitor's clerk in our town.

Nora. Yes, he was.

Mrs. Linde. He is greatly altered.

Nora. He made a very unhappy marriage.

Mrs. Linde. He is a widower now, isn't he?

Nora. With several children. There now, it is burning up. Shutsthe door of the stove and moves the rocking-chair aside.)

Mrs. Linde. They say he carries on various kinds of business.

Nora. Really! Perhaps he does; I don't know anything about it.But don't let us think of business; it is so tiresome.

Doctor Rank (comes out of HELMER'S study. Before he shuts thedoor he calls to him). No, my dear fellow, I won't disturb you; Iwould rather go in to your wife for a little while. (Shuts thedoor and sees Mrs. LINDE.) I beg your pardon; I am afraid I amdisturbing you too.

Nora. No, not at all. (Introducing him). Doctor Rank, Mrs. Linde.

Rank. I have often heard Mrs. Linde's name mentioned here. Ithink I passed you on the stairs when I arrived, Mrs. Linde?

Mrs. Linde. Yes, I go up very slowly; I can't manage stairs well.

Rank. Ah! some slight internal weakness?

Mrs. Linde. No, the fact is I have been overworking myself.

Rank. Nothing more than that? Then I suppose you have come totown to amuse yourself with our entertainments?

Mrs. Linde. I have come to look for work.

Rank. Is that a good cure for overwork?

Mrs. Linde. One must live, Doctor Rank.

Rank. Yes, the general opinion seems to be that it is necessary.

Nora. Look here, Doctor Rank--you know you want to live.

Rank. Certainly. However wretched I may feel, I want to prolongthe agony as long as possible. All my patients are like that. Andso are those who are morally diseased; one of them, and a badcase too, is at this very moment with Helmer--

Mrs. Linde (sadly). Ah!

Nora. Whom do you mean?

Rank. A lawyer of the name of Krogstad, a fellow you don't knowat all. He suffers from a diseased moral character, Mrs. Helmer;but even he began talking of its being highly important that heshould live.

Nora. Did he? What did he want to speak to Torvald about?

Rank. I have no idea; I only heard that it was something aboutthe Bank.

Nora. I didn't know this--what's his name--Krogstad had anythingto do with the Bank.

Rank. Yes, he has some sort of appointment there. (To Mrs.LINDE.) I don't know whether you find also in your part of theworld that there are certain people who go zealously snuffingabout to smell out moral corruption, and, as soon as they havefound some, put the person concerned into some lucrative positionwhere they can keep their eye on him. Healthy natures are leftout in the cold.

Mrs. Linde. Still I think the sick are those who most need takingcare of.

Rank (shrugging his shoulders). Yes, there you are. That is thesentiment that is turning Society into a sick-house.

(NORA, who has been absorbed in her thoughts, breaks out intosmothered laughter and claps her hands.)

Rank. Why do you laugh at that? Have you any notion what Societyreally is?

Nora. What do I care about tiresome Society? I am laughing atsomething quite different, something extremely amusing. Tell me,Doctor Rank, are all the people who are employed in the Bankdependent on Torvald now?

Rank. Is that what you find so extremely amusing?

Nora (smiling and humming). That's my affair! (Walking about theroom.) It's perfectly glorious to think that we have--thatTorvald has so much power over so many people. (Takes the packetfrom her pocket.) Doctor Rank, what do you say to a macaroon?

Rank. What, macaroons? I thought they were forbidden here.

Nora. Yes, but these are some Christine gave me.

Mrs. Linde. What! I?--

Nora. Oh, well, don't be alarmed! You couldn't know that Torvaldhad forbidden them. I must tell you that he is afraid they willspoil my teeth. But, bah!--once in a way--That's so, isn't it,Doctor Rank? By your leave! (Puts a macaroon into his mouth.) Youmust have one too, Christine. And I shall have one, just a littleone--or at most two. (Walking about.) I am tremendously happy.There is just one thing in the world now that I should dearlylove to do.

Rank. Well, what is that?

Nora. It's something I should dearly love to say, if Torvaldcould hear me.

Rank. Well, why can't you say it?

Nora. No, I daren't; it's so shocking.

Mrs. Linde. Shocking?

Rank. Well, I should not advise you to say it. Still, with us youmight. What is it you would so much like to say if Torvald couldhear you?

Nora. I should just love to say--Well, I'm damned!

Rank. Are you mad?

Mrs. Linde. Nora, dear--!

Rank. Say it, here he is!

Nora (hiding the packet). Hush! Hush! Hush! (HELMER comes out ofhis room, with his coat over his arm and his hat in his hand.)

Nora. Well, Torvald dear, have you got rid of him?

Helmer. Yes, he has just gone.

Nora. Let me introduce you--this is Christine, who has come to town.

Helmer. Christine--? Excuse me, but I don't know--

Nora. Mrs. Linde, dear; Christine Linde.

Helmer. Of course. A school friend of my wife's, I presume?

Mrs. Linde. Yes, we have known each other since then.

Nora. And just think, she has taken a long journey in order to see you.

Helmer. What do you mean? Mrs. Linde. No, really, I--

Nora. Christine is tremendously clever at book-keeping, and sheis frightfully anxious to work under some clever man, so as toperfect herself--

Helmer. Very sensible, Mrs. Linde.

Nora. And when she heard you had been appointed manager of theBank--the news was telegraphed, you know--she travelled here asquick as she could. Torvald, I am sure you will be able to dosomething for Christine, for my sake, won't you?

Helmer. Well, it is not altogether impossible. I presume you area widow, Mrs. Linde?

Mrs. Linde. Yes.

Helmer. And have had some experience of book-keeping?

Mrs. Linde. Yes, a fair amount.

Helmer. Ah! well, it's very likely I may be able to findsomething for you--

Nora (clapping her hands). What did I tell you? What did I tellyou?

Helmer. You have just come at a fortunate moment, Mrs. Linde.

Mrs. Linde. How am I to thank you?

Helmer. There is no need. (Puts on his coat.) But today you mustexcuse me--

Rank. Wait a minute; I will come with you. (Brings his fur coatfrom the hall and warms it at the fire.)

Nora. Don't be long away, Torvald dear.

Helmer. About an hour, not more.

Nora. Are you going too, Christine?

Mrs. Linde (putting on her cloak). Yes, I must go and look for aroom.

Helmer. Oh, well then, we can walk down the street together.

Nora (helping her). What a pity it is we are so short of spacehere; I am afraid it is impossible for us--

Nora. Goodbye for the present. Of course you will come back thisevening. And you too, Dr. Rank. What do you say? If you are wellenough? Oh, you must be! Wrap yourself up well. (They go to thedoor all talking together. Children's voices are heard on thestaircase.)

Nora. There they are! There they are! (She runs to open the door.The NURSE comes in with the children.) Come in! Come in! (Stoopsand kisses them.) Oh, you sweet blessings! Look at them,Christine! Aren't they darlings?

Rank. Don't let us stand here in the draught.

Helmer. Come along, Mrs. Linde; the place will only be bearablefor a mother now!

Nora. How fresh and well you look! Such red cheeks like applesand roses. (The children all talk at once while she speaks tothem.) Have you had great fun? That's splendid! What, you pulledboth Emmy and Bob along on the sledge? --both at once?--that wasgood. You are a clever boy, Ivar. Let me take her for a little,Anne. My sweet little baby doll! (Takes the baby from the MAIDand dances it up and down.) Yes, yes, mother will dance with Bobtoo. What! Have you been snowballing? I wish I had been theretoo! No, no, I will take their things off, Anne; please let me doit, it is such fun. Go in now, you look half frozen. There issome hot coffee for you on the stove.

(The NURSE goes into the room on the left. NORA takes off thechildren's things and throws them about, while they all talk toher at once.)

Nora. Really! Did a big dog run after you? But it didn't biteyou? No, dogs don't bite nice little dolly children. You mustn'tlook at the parcels, Ivar. What are they? Ah, I daresay you wouldlike to know. No, no--it's something nasty! Come, let us have agame! What shall we play at? Hide and Seek? Yes, we'll play Hideand Seek. Bob shall hide first. Must I hide? Very well, I'll hidefirst. (She and the children laugh and shout, and romp in and outof the room; at last NORA hides under the table, the childrenrush in and out for her, but do not see her; they hear hersmothered laughter, run to the table, lift up the cloth and findher. Shouts of laughter. She crawls forward and pretends tofrighten them. Fresh laughter. Meanwhile there has been a knockat the hall door, but none of them has noticed it. The door ishalf opened, and KROGSTAD appears, lie waits a little; the gamegoes on.)

Krogstad. Excuse me, Mrs. Helmer.

Nora (with a stifled cry, turns round and gets up on to herknees). Ah! what do you want?

Nora. With me?--(To the children, gently.) Go in to nurse. What?No, the strange man won't do mother any harm. When he has gone wewill have another game. (She takes the children into the room onthe left, and shuts the door after them.) You want to speak tome?

Krogstad. Yes, I do.

Nora. Today? It is not the first of the month yet.

Krogstad. No, it is Christmas Eve, and it will depend on yourselfwhat sort of a Christmas you will spend.

Nora. What do you mean? Today it is absolutely impossible for me--

Krogstad. We won't talk about that until later on. This issomething different. I presume you can give me a moment?

Nora. Yes--yes, I can--although--

Krogstad. Good. I was in Olsen's Restaurant and saw your husbandgoing down the street--

Nora. Yes?

Krogstad. With a lady.

Nora. What then?

Krogstad. May I make so bold as to ask if it was a Mrs. Linde?

Nora. It was.

Krogstad. Just arrived in town?

Nora. Yes, today.

Krogstad. She is a great friend of yours, isn't she?

Nora. She is. But I don't see--

Krogstad. I knew her too, once upon a time.

Nora. I am aware of that.

Krogstad. Are you? So you know all about it; I thought as much.Then I can ask you, without beating about the bush--is Mrs. Lindeto have an appointment in the Bank?

Nora. What right have you to question me, Mr. Krogstad?--You, oneof my husband's subordinates! But since you ask, you shall know.Yes, Mrs. Linde is to have an appointment. And it was I whopleaded her cause, Mr. Krogstad, let me tell you that.

Krogstad. I was right in what I thought, then.

Nora (walking up and down the stage). Sometimes one has a tinylittle bit of influence, I should hope. Because one is a woman,it does not necessarily follow that--. When anyone is in asubordinate position, Mr. Krogstad, they should really be carefulto avoid offending anyone who--who--

Krogstad. Who has influence?

Nora. Exactly.

Krogstad (changing his tone). Mrs. Helmer, you will be so good asto use your influence on my behalf.

Nora. What? What do you mean?

Krogstad. You will be so kind as to see that I am allowed to keepmy subordinate position in the Bank.

Nora. What do you mean by that? Who proposes to take your postaway from you?

Krogstad. Oh, there is no necessity to keep up the pretence ofignorance. I can quite understand that your friend is not veryanxious to expose herself to the chance of rubbing shoulders withme; and I quite understand, too, whom I have to thank for beingturned off.

Nora. But I assure you--

Krogstad. Very likely; but, to come to the point, the time hascome when I should advise you to use your influence to preventthat.

Nora. But, Mr. Krogstad, I have no influence.

Krogstad. Haven't you? I thought you said yourself just now--

Nora. Naturally I did not mean you to put that construction onit. I! What should make you think I have any influence of thatkind with my husband?

Krogstad. Oh, I have known your husband from our student days. Idon't suppose he is any more unassailable than other husbands.

Nora. If you speak slightingly of my husband, I shall turn youout of the house.

Krogstad. You are bold, Mrs. Helmer.

Nora. I am not afraid of you any longer. As soon as the New Yearcomes, I shall in a very short time be free of the whole thing.

Krogstad (controlling himself). Listen to me, Mrs. Helmer. Ifnecessary) I am prepared to fight for my small post in the Bankas if I were fighting for my life.

Nora. So it seems.

Krogstad. It is not only for the sake of the money; indeed, thatweighs least with me in the matter. There is another reason--well, I may as well tell you. My position is this. I daresay youknow, like everybody else, that once, many years ago, I wasguilty of an indiscretion.

Nora. I think I have heard something of the kind.

Krogstad. The matter never came into court; but every way seemedto be closed to me after that. So I took to the business that youknow of. I had to do something; and, honestly, I don't think I'vebeen one of the worst. But now I must cut myself free from allthat. My sons are growing up; for their sake I must try and winback as much respect as I can in the town. This post in the Bankwas like the first step up for me--and now your husband is goingto kick me downstairs again into the mud.

Nora. But you must believe me, Mr. Krogstad; it is not in mypower to help you at all.

Krogstad. Then it is because you haven't the will; but I havemeans to compel you.

Nora. You don't mean that you will tell my husband that I owe youmoney?

Krogstad. Hm!--suppose I were to tell him?

Nora. It would be perfectly infamous of you. (Sobbing.) To thinkof his learning my secret, which has been my joy and pride, insuch an ugly, clumsy way--that he should learn it from you! Andit would put me in a horribly disagreeable position--

Krogstad. Only disagreeable?

Nora (impetuously). Well, do it, then!--and it will be the worsefor you. My husband will see for himself what a blackguard youare, and you certainly won't keep your post then.

Krogstad. I asked you if it was only a disagreeable scene at homethat you were afraid of?

Nora. If my husband does get to know of it, of course he will atonce pay you what is still owing, and we shall have nothing moreto do with you.

Krogstad (coming a step nearer). Listen to me, Mrs. Helmer.Either you have a very bad memory or you know very little ofbusiness. I shall be obliged to remind you of a few details.

Nora. What do you mean?

Krogstad. When your husband was ill, you came to me to borrow twohundred and fifty pounds.

Nora. I didn't know anyone else to go to.

Krogstad. I promised to get you that amount--

Nora. Yes, and you did so.

Krogstad. I promised to get you that amount, on certainconditions. Your mind was so taken up with your husband'sillness, and you were so anxious to get the money for yourjourney, that you seem to have paid no attention to the conditionsof our bargain. Therefore it will not be amiss if I remind you ofthem. Now, I promised to get the money on the security of a bondwhich I drew up.

Nora. Yes, and which I signed.

Krogstad. Good. But below your signature there were a few linesconstituting your father a surety for the money; those lines yourfather should have signed.

Nora. Should? He did sign them.

Krogstad. I had left the date blank; that is to say, your fathershould himself have inserted the date on which he signed the paper.Do you remember that?

Nora. Yes, I think I remember--

Krogstad. Then I gave you the bond to send by post to yourfather. Is that not so?

Nora. Yes.

Krogstad. And you naturally did so at once, because five or sixdays afterwards you brought me the bond with your father'ssignature. And then I gave you the money.

Nora. Well, haven't I been paying it off regularly?

Krogstad. Fairly so, yes. But--to come back to the matter inhand--that must have been a very trying time for you, Mrs.Helmer?

Nora. It was, indeed.

Krogstad. Your father was very ill, wasn't he?

Nora. He was very near his end.

Krogstad. And died soon afterwards?

Nora. Yes.

Krogstad. Tell me, Mrs. Helmer, can you by any chance rememberwhat day your father died?--on what day of the month, I mean.

Nora. Papa died on the 29th of September.

Krogstad. That is correct; I have ascertained it for myself. And,as that is so, there is a discrepancy (taking a paper from hispocket) which I cannot account for.

Nora. What discrepancy? I don't know--

Krogstad. The discrepancy consists, Mrs. Helmer, in the fact thatyour father signed this bond three days after his death.

Nora. What do you mean? I don't understand--

Krogstad. Your father died on the 29th of September. But, lookhere; your father has dated his signature the 2nd of October. Itis a discrepancy, isn't it? (NORA is silent.) Can you explain itto me? (NORA is still silent.) It is a remarkable thing, too,that the words "2nd of October," as well as the year, are notwritten in your father's handwriting but in one that I think Iknow. Well, of course it can be explained; your father may haveforgotten to date his signature, and someone else may have datedit haphazard before they knew of his death. There is no harm inthat. It all depends on the signature of the name; and that isgenuine, I suppose, Mrs. Helmer? It was your father himself whosigned his name here?

Nora (after a short pause, throws her head up and looks defiantlyat him). No, it was not. It was I that wrote papa's name.

Krogstad. Are you aware that is a dangerous confession?

Nora. In what way? You shall have your money soon.

Krogstad. Let me ask you a question; why did you not send thepaper to your father?

Nora. It was impossible; papa was so ill. If I had asked him forhis signature, I should have had to tell him what the money wasto be used for; and when he was so ill himself I couldn't tellhim that my husband's life was in danger--it was impossible.

Krogstad. It would have been better for you if you had given upyour trip abroad.

Nora. No, that was impossible. That trip was to save my husband'slife; I couldn't give that up.

Krogstad. But did it never occur to you that you were committinga fraud on me?

Nora. I couldn't take that into account; I didn't trouble myselfabout you at all. I couldn't bear you, because you put so manyheartless difficulties in my way, although you knew what a dangerouscondition my husband was in.

Krogstad. Mrs. Helmer, you evidently do not realise clearly whatit is that you have been guilty of. But I can assure you that myone false step, which lost me all my reputation, was nothing moreor nothing worse than what you have done.

Nora. You? Do you ask me to believe that you were brave enough torun a risk to save your wife's life?

Krogstad. The law cares nothing about motives.

Nora. Then it must be a very foolish law.

Krogstad. Foolish or not, it is the law by which you will be judged,if I produce this paper in court.

Nora. I don't believe it. Is a daughter not to be allowed tospare her dying father anxiety and care? Is a wife not to beallowed to save her husband's life? I don't know much about law;but I am certain that there must be laws permitting such thingsas that. Have you no knowledge of such laws--you who are alawyer? You must be a very poor lawyer, Mr. Krogstad.

Krogstad. Maybe. But matters of business--such business as youand I have had together--do you think I don't understand that?Very well. Do as you please. But let me tell you this--if I losemy position a second time, you shall lose yours with me. (Hebows, and goes out through the hall.)

Nora (appears buried in thought for a short time, then tosses herhead). Nonsense! Trying to frighten me like that!--I am not sosilly as he thinks. (Begins to busy herself putting the children'sthings in order.) And yet--? No, it's impossible! I did it for love's sake.

The Children (in the doorway on the left). Mother, the strangerman has gone out through the gate.

Nora. Yes, dears, I know. But, don't tell anyone about the strangerman. Do you hear? Not even papa.

Children. No, mother; but will you come and play again?

Nora. No, no,--not now.

Children. But, mother, you promised us.

Nora. Yes, but I can't now. Run away in; I have such a lot to do.Run away in, my sweet little darlings. (She gets them into theroom by degrees and shuts the door on them; then sits down on thesofa, takes up a piece of needlework and sews a few stitches, butsoon stops.) No! (Throws down the work, gets up, goes to the halldoor and calls out.) Helen! bring the Tree in. (Goes to the tableon the left, opens a drawer, and stops again.) No, no! it isquite impossible!

Maid (coming in with the Tree). Where shall I put it, ma'am?

Nora. Here, in the middle of the floor.

Maid. Shall I get you anything else?

Nora. No, thank you. I have all I want. [Exit MAID.]

Nora (begins dressing the tree). A candle here-and flowers here--The horrible man! It's all nonsense--there's nothing wrong. Thetree shall be splendid! I will do everything I can think of toplease you, Torvald!--I will sing for you, dance for you--(HELMERcomes in with some papers under his arm.) Oh! are you backalready?.

Helmer. Yes. Has anyone been here?

Nora. Here? No.

Helmer. That is strange. I saw Krogstad going out of the gate.

Nora. Did you? Oh yes, I forgot, Krogstad was here for a moment.

Helmer. Nora, I can see from your manner that he has been herebegging you to say a good word for him.

Nora. Yes.

Helmer. And you were to appear to do it of your own accord; youwere to conceal from me the fact of his having been here; didn'the beg that of you too?

Nora. Yes, Torvald, but--

Helmer. Nora, Nora, and you would be a party to that sort ofthing? To have any talk with a man like that, and give him anysort of promise? And to tell me a lie into the bargain?

Nora. A lie--?

Helmer. Didn't you tell me no one had been here? (Shakes hisfinger at her.) My little songbird must never do that again. Asongbird must have a clean beak to chirp with--no false notes!(Puts his arm round her waist.) That is so, isn't it? Yes, I amsure it is. (Lets her go.) We will say no more about it. (Sitsdown by the stove.) How warm and snug it is here! (Turns over hispapers.)

Nora (after a short pause, during which she busies herself withthe Christmas Tree.) Torvald!

Helmer. Yes.

Nora. I am looking forward tremendously to the fancy-dress ballat the Stenborgs' the day after tomorrow.

Helmer. And I am tremendously curious to see what you are goingto surprise me with.

Nora. It was very silly of me to want to do that.

Helmer. What do you mean?

Nora. I can't hit upon anything that will do; everything I thinkof seems so silly and insignificant.

Helmer. Does my little Nora acknowledge that at last?

Nora (standing behind his chair with her arms on the back of it).Are you very busy, Torvald?

Helmer. Well--

Nora. What are all those papers?

Helmer. Bank business.

Nora. Already?

Helmer. I have got authority from the retiring manager toundertake the necessary changes in the staff and in therearrangement of the work; and I must make use of theChristmas week for that, so as to have everything in orderfor the new year.

Nora. Then that was why this poor Krogstad--

Helmer. Hm!

Nora (leans against the back of his chair and strokes his hair).If you hadn't been so busy I should have asked you a tremendouslybig favour, Torvald.

Helmer. What is that? Tell me.

Nora. There is no one has such good taste as you. And I do sowant to look nice at the fancy-dress ball. Torvald, couldn't youtake me in hand and decide what I shall go as, and what sort of adress I shall wear?

Helmer. Aha! so my obstinate little woman is obliged to getsomeone to come to her rescue?

Nora. Yes, Torvald, I can't get along a bit without your help.

Helmer. Very well, I will think it over, we shall manage to hitupon something.

Nora. That is nice of you. (Goes to the Christmas Tree. A shortpause.) How pretty the red flowers look--. But, tell me, was itreally something very bad that this Krogstad was guilty of?

Helmer. He forged someone's name. Have you any idea what thatmeans?

Nora. Isn't it possible that he was driven to do it by necessity?

Helmer. Yes; or, as in so many cases, by imprudence. I am not soheartless as to condemn a man altogether because of a single falsestep of that kind.

Nora. No, you wouldn't, would you, Torvald?

Helmer. Many a man has been able to retrieve his character, if hehas openly confessed his fault and taken his punishment.

Nora. Punishment--?

Helmer. But Krogstad did nothing of that sort; he got himself outof it by a cunning trick, and that is why he has gone under altogether.

Nora. But do you think it would--?

Helmer. Just think how a guilty man like that has to lie and playthe hypocrite with every one, how he has to wear a mask in thepresence of those near and dear to him, even before his own wifeand children. And about the children--that is the most terriblepart of it all, Nora.

Nora. How?

Helmer. Because such an atmosphere of lies infects and poisonsthe whole life of a home. Each breath the children take in such ahouse is full of the germs of evil.

Nora (coming nearer him). Are you sure of that?

Helmer. My dear, I have often seen it in the course of my life asa lawyer. Almost everyone who has gone to the bad early in lifehas had a deceitful mother.

Nora. Why do you only say--mother?

Helmer. It seems most commonly to be the mother's influence,though naturally a bad father's would have the same result. Everylawyer is familiar with the fact. This Krogstad, now, has beenpersistently poisoning his own children with lies anddissimulation; that is why I say he has lost all moral character.(Holds out his hands to her.) That is why my sweet little Noramust promise me not to plead his cause. Give me your hand on it.Come, come, what is this? Give me your hand. There now, that'ssettled. I assure you it would be quite impossible for me to workwith him; I literally feel physically ill when I am in the companyof such people.

Nora (takes her hand out of his and goes to the opposite side ofthe Christmas Tree). How hot it is in here; and I have such a lotto do.

Helmer (getting up and putting his papers in order). Yes, and Imust try and read through some of these before dinner; and I mustthink about your costume, too. And it is just possible I may havesomething ready in gold paper to hang up on the Tree. (Puts hishand on her head.) My precious little singing-bird! (He goes intohis room and shuts the door after him.)

(THE SAME SCENE.--THE Christmas Tree is in the corner by thepiano, stripped of its ornaments and with burnt-down candle-endson its dishevelled branches. NORA'S cloak and hat are lying onthe sofa. She is alone in the room, walking about uneasily. Shestops by the sofa and takes up her cloak.)

Nora (drops her cloak). Someone is coming now! (Goes to the doorand listens.) No--it is no one. Of course, no one will come today,Christmas Day--nor tomorrow either. But, perhaps--(opensthe door and looks out). No, nothing in the letterbox; it isquite empty. (Comes forward.) What rubbish! of course he can't bein earnest about it. Such a thing couldn't happen; it isimpossible--I have three little children.

(Enter the NURSE from the room on the left, carrying a bigcardboard box.)

Nurse. At last I have found the box with the fancy dress.

Nora. Thanks; put it on the table.

Nurse (doing so). But it is very much in want of mending.

Nora. I should like to tear it into a hundred thousand pieces.

Nurse. What an idea! It can easily be put in order--just a littlepatience.

Nora. Yes, I will go and get Mrs. Linde to come and help me withit.

Nurse. What, out again? In this horrible weather? You will catchcold, ma'am, and make yourself ill.

Nora. Well, worse than that might happen. How are the children?

Nurse. The poor little souls are playing with their Christmaspresents, but--

Nora. Do they ask much for me?

Nurse. You see, they are so accustomed to have their mamma withthem.

Nora. Yes, but, nurse, I shall not be able to be so much withthem now as I was before.

Nurse. Oh well, young children easily get accustomed to anything.

Nora. Do you think so? Do you think they would forget theirmother if she went away altogether?

Nurse. Good heavens!--went away altogether?

Nora. Nurse, I want you to tell me something I have oftenwondered about--how could you have the heart to put your ownchild out among strangers?

Nurse. I was obliged to, if I wanted to be little Nora's nurse.

Nora. Yes, but how could you be willing to do it?

Nurse. What, when I was going to get such a good place by it? Apoor girl who has got into trouble should be glad to. Besides,that wicked man didn't do a single thing for me.

Nora. But I suppose your daughter has quite forgotten you.

Nurse. No, indeed she hasn't. She wrote to me when she wasconfirmed, and when she was married.

Nora (putting her arms round her neck). Dear old Anne, you were agood mother to me when I was little.

Nurse. Little Nora, poor dear, had no other mother but me. Nora.And if my little ones had no other mother, I am sure you would--What nonsense I am talking! (Opens the box.) Go in to them. Now Imust--. You will see tomorrow how charming I shall look.

Nurse. I am sure there will be no one at the ball so charming asyou, ma'am. (Goes into the room on the left.)

Nora (begins to unpack the box, but soon pushes it away fromher). If only I dared go out. If only no one would come. If onlyI could be sure nothing would happen here in the meantime. Stuffand nonsense! No one will come. Only I mustn't think about it. Iwill brush my muff. What lovely, lovely gloves! Out of my thoughts,out of my thoughts! One, two, three, four, five, six--(Screams.) Ah! there is someone coming--. (Makes a movementtowards the door, but stands irresolute.)

(Enter MRS. LINDE from the hall, where she has taken off hercloak and hat.)

Nora. Oh, it's you, Christine. There is no one else out there, isthere? How good of you to come!

Mrs. Linde. I heard you were up asking for me.

Nora. Yes, I was passing by. As a matter of fact, it is somethingyou could help me with. Let us sit down here on the sofa. Lookhere. Tomorrow evening there is to be a fancy-dress ball at theStenborgs', who live above us; and Torvald wants me to go as aNeapolitan fisher-girl, and dance the Tarantella that I learned atCapri.

Mrs. Linde. I see; you are going to keep up the character.

Nora. Yes, Torvald wants me to. Look, here is the dress; Torvald hadit made for me there, but now it is all so torn, and I haven't anyidea--

Mrs. Linde. We will easily put that right. It is only some of thetrimming come unsewn here and there. Needle and thread? Now then,that's all we want.

Nora. It is nice of you.

Mrs. Linde (sewing). So you are going to be dressed up tomorrowNora. I will tell you what--I shall come in for a moment and seeyou in your fine feathers. But I have completely forgotten tothank you for a delightful evening yesterday.

Nora (gets up, and crosses the stage). Well, I don't thinkyesterday was as pleasant as usual. You ought to have come totown a little earlier, Christine. Certainly Torvald doesunderstand how to make a house dainty and attractive.

Mrs. Linde. And so do you, it seems to me; you are not yourfather's daughter for nothing. But tell me, is Doctor Rank alwaysas depressed as he was yesterday?

Nora. No; yesterday it was very noticeable. I must tell you thathe suffers from a very dangerous disease. He has consumption ofthe spine, poor creature. His father was a horrible man whocommitted all sorts of excesses; and that is why his son wassickly from childhood, do you understand?

Nora (walking about). Pooh! When you have three children, you getvisits now and then from--from married women, who know somethingof medical matters, and they talk about one thing and another.

Mrs. Linde (goes on sewing. A short silence). Does Doctor Rankcome here everyday?

Nora. Everyday regularly. He is Torvald's most intimate friend,and a great friend of mine too. He is just like one of the family.

Mrs. Linde. But tell me this--is he perfectly sincere? I mean, isn'the the kind of man that is very anxious to make himself agreeable?

Nora. Not in the least. What makes you think that?

Mrs. Linde. When you introduced him to me yesterday, he declared hehad often heard my name mentioned in this house; but afterwards Inoticed that your husband hadn't the slightest idea who I was.So how could Doctor Rank--?

Nora. That is quite right, Christine. Torvald is so absurdly fondof me that he wants me absolutely to himself, as he says. At firsthe used to seem almost jealous if I mentioned any of the dear folkat home, so naturally I gave up doing so. But I often talk aboutsuch things with Doctor Rank, because he likes hearing about them.

Mrs. Linde. Listen to me, Nora. You are still very like a childin many things, and I am older than you in many ways and have alittle more experience. Let me tell you this--you ought to makean end of it with Doctor Rank.

Nora. What ought I to make an end of?

Mrs. Linde. Of two things, I think. Yesterday you talked somenonsense about a rich admirer who was to leave you money--

Nora. An admirer who doesn't exist, unfortunately! But what then?

Mrs. Linde. Is Doctor Rank a man of means?

Nora. Yes, he is.

Mrs. Linde. And has no one to provide for?

Nora. No, no one; but--

Mrs. Linde. And comes here everyday?

Nora. Yes, I told you so.

Mrs. Linde. But how can this well-bred man be so tactless?

Nora. I don't understand you at all.

Mrs. Linde. Don't prevaricate, Nora. Do you suppose I don't guesswho lent you the two hundred and fifty pounds?

Nora. Are you out of your senses? How can you think of such a thing!A friend of ours, who comes here everyday! Do you realise what ahorribly painful position that would be?

Mrs. Linde. Then it really isn't he?

Nora. No, certainly not. It would never have entered into my headfor a moment. Besides, he had no money to lend then; he came intohis money afterwards.

Mrs. Linde. Well, I think that was lucky for you, my dear Nora.

Nora. No, it would never have come into my head to ask DoctorRank. Although I am quite sure that if I had asked him--

Mrs. Linde. But of course you won't.

Nora. Of course not. I have no reason to think it could possiblybe necessary. But I am quite sure that if I told Doctor Rank--

Mrs. Linde. Behind your husband's back?

Nora. I must make an end of it with the other one, and that willbe behind his back too. I must make an end of it with him.

Mrs. Linde. Yes, that is what I told you yesterday, but--

Nora (walking up and down). A man can put a thing like thatstraight much easier than a woman--

Mrs. Linde. One's husband, yes.

Nora. Nonsense! (Standing still.) When you pay off a debt you getyour bond back, don't you?

Mrs. Linde. Yes, as a matter of course.

Nora. And can tear it into a hundred thousand pieces, and burn itup--the nasty dirty paper!

Mrs. Linde (looks hard at her, lays down her sewing and gets upslowly). Nora, you are concealing something from me.

Nora. Do I look as if I were?

Mrs. Linde. Something has happened to you since yesterday morning.Nora, what is it?

Nora (going nearer to her). Christine! (Listens.) Hush! there'sTorvald come home. Do you mind going in to the children for thepresent? Torvald can't bear to see dressmaking going on. Let Annehelp you.

Mrs. Linde (gathering some of the things together). Certainly --but I am not going away from here until we have had it out withone another. (She goes into the room on the left, as HELMER comesin from the hall.)

Nora (going up to HELMER). I have wanted you so much, Torvalddear.

Helmer. Was that the dressmaker?

Nora. No, it was Christine; she is helping me to put my dress inorder. You will see I shall look quite smart.

Helmer. Wasn't that a happy thought of mine, now?

Nora. Splendid! But don't you think it is nice of me, too, to doas you wish?

Helmer. Nice?--because you do as your husband wishes? Well, well,you little rogue, I am sure you did not mean it in that way. ButI am not going to disturb you; you will want to be trying on yourdress, I expect.

Nora. I suppose you are going to work.

Helmer. Yes. (Shows her a bundle of papers.) Look at that. I havejust been into the bank. (Turns to go into his room.)

Nora. Torvald.

Helmer. Yes.

Nora. If your little squirrel were to ask you for something very,very prettily--?

Helmer. What then?

Nora. Would you do it?

Helmer. I should like to hear what it is, first.

Nora. Your squirrel would run about and do all her tricks if youwould be nice, and do what she wants.

Helmer. Speak plainly.

Nora. Your skylark would chirp about in every room, with her songrising and falling--

Helmer. Well, my skylark does that anyhow.

Nora. I would play the fairy and dance for you in the moonlight,Torvald.

Helmer. Nora--you surely don't mean that request you made to methis morning?

Nora (going near him). Yes, Torvald, I beg you so earnestly--

Helmer. Have you really the courage to open up that question again?

Nora. Yes, dear, you must do as I ask; you must let Krogstad keephis post in the bank.

Helmer. My dear Nora, it is his post that I have arranged Mrs.Linde shall have.

Nora. Yes, you have been awfully kind about that; but you couldjust as well dismiss some other clerk instead of Krogstad.

Helmer. This is simply incredible obstinacy! Because you chose togive him a thoughtless promise that you would speak for him, I amexpected to--

Nora. That isn't the reason, Torvald. It is for your own sake.This fellow writes in the most scurrilous newspapers; you havetold me so yourself. He can do you an unspeakable amount of harm.I am frightened to death of him--

Helmer. Ah, I understand; it is recollections of the past thatscare you.

Nora. What do you mean?

Helmer. Naturally you are thinking of your father.

Nora. Yes--yes, of course. Just recall to your mind what thesemalicious creatures wrote in the papers about papa, and howhorribly they slandered him. I believe they would have procuredhis dismissal if the Department had not sent you over to inquireinto it, and if you had not been so kindly disposed and helpfulto him.

Helmer. My little Nora, there is an important difference betweenyour father and me. Your father's reputation as a public officialwas not above suspicion. Mine is, and I hope it will continue tobe so, as long as I hold my office.

Nora. You never can tell what mischief these men may contrive. Weought to be so well off, so snug and happy here in our peacefulhome, and have no cares--you and I and the children, Torvald!That is why I beg you so earnestly--

Helmer. And it is just by interceding for him that you make itimpossible for me to keep him. It is already known at the Bankthat I mean to dismiss Krogstad. Is it to get about now that thenew manager has changed his mind at his wife's bidding--

Nora. And what if it did?

Helmer. Of course!--if only this obstinate little person can gether way! Do you suppose I am going to make myself ridiculous beforemy whole staff, to let people think that I am a man to be swayed byall sorts of outside influence? I should very soon feel theconsequences of it, I can tell you! And besides, there is one thingthat makes it quite impossible for me to have Krogstad in the Bankas long as I am manager.

Nora. Whatever is that?

Helmer. His moral failings I might perhaps have overlooked, ifnecessary--

Nora. Yes, you could--couldn't you?

Helmer. And I hear he is a good worker, too. But I knew him whenwe were boys. It was one of those rash friendships that so oftenprove an incubus in afterlife. I may as well tell you plainly,we were once on very intimate terms with one another. But thistactless fellow lays no restraint on himself when other peopleare present. On the contrary, he thinks it gives him the right toadopt a familiar tone with me, and every minute it is "I say,Helmer, old fellow!" and that sort of thing. I assure you it isextremely painful for me. He would make my position in the Bankintolerable.